The summer signing giving Unai Emery an extra attacking dimension - and the new man he will be alarmed by: Club Brugge 2-3 Aston Villa

A first win of the season, a first goal for Nicolas Jackson and the ideal start to Aston Villa's Champions League campaign – but we may not see the best of Unai Emery's men until after the international break at least.

Heading into this game, Villa had not scored since Brian Madjo's strike in the Super Cup defeat by Paris Saint-Germain nearly a month ago.

But they put that right here as John McGinn, Emi Buendia and Jackson all struck before half-time. Hugo Vetlessen equalised briefly for Club Brugge, who closed the gap in the second half thanks to Nicolo' Tresoldi's penalty.

Both sides missed chances in a chaotic match that would have made Emery desperately nervous. The Villa boss craves control and here Villa rarely had it.

Yet after losing six key players over the summer and making an unconvincing start to the Premier League, this may be the result Villa needed to get their season moving...

Suzuki finding top speed

First Emi Martinez, now Zion Suzuki. Aston Villa certainly love a goalkeeper with 'main character' energy and just like Martinez, Suzuki looks like he will draw the spotlight.

Where Martinez made his name through his astounding saves and unsavoury antics, it is the kicking that sets Suzuki apart. The Japanese's range of passing with either foot is remarkable and gives Villa an extra attacking dimension.

The game was barely a minute old when Suzuki picked out Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was on the right touchline halfway inside the Brugge half. Wan-Bissaka and McGinn combined to set up a chance for Buendia but the Argentine missed the target.

Suzuki's kicking will naturally push the opposition back, just as a batter will hit over the top in cricket in order to spread the field. It is great to watch.

There may be some teething problems at the other end, though, as Suzuki's shot-stopping and aerial ability is not quite as convincing. But the early signs are that the £30million have been spent well.

Defensive fragility

Pau Torres was the only member of last season's first choice back four who played here and Villa looked vulnerable, especially out wide.

Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash and Lucas Digne were ultra-reliable as Villa finished fourth and won the Europa League – but now Konsa is at Arsenal, Digne is at Paris Saint-Germain and Cash was left at home due to muscle discomfort.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka had a torrid time against Brugge's Spanish winger Jan Virgili and was brought off after 68 minutes. When Konsa was at Villa, he would slot in at right-back at times like these. Instead, Emery had to send on Lamare Bogarde – his fourth-choice central midfielder – to handle Virgili.

It usually takes time for new signings to find their rhythm under Emery. Morgan Rogers was the exception, but players like Digne, Youri Tielemans – now with Manchester United – and Buendia all had to work hard to earn his trust.

Still, Emery will have been a little alarmed by Wan-Bissaka's display. The former Manchester United man, on loan from West Ham, can expect plenty of time in the analysis room after this showing.

Never give up

Emi Buendia is living proof that no player is ever totally out of the picture under Emery at Villa.

The playmaker suffered a serious knee injury on the eve of the 2023-24 season and in the following campaign, he was loaned to Bayer Leverkusen in January.

In summer 2025, Buendia was so far out of the picture that he was even considered by Birmingham, who had just been promoted from League One.

But Buendia stayed, won back his place in the team and in May, he scored one of the goals of the season in the Europa League Final to help Villa lift their first major trophy since 1996.

He finished off an excellent move here to restore Villa's lead in the first half. The club have added significant attacking talent this summer, with Johan Manzambi and Ibrahim Mbaye arriving for more than £100million combined and Alejandro Garnacho joining on loan. All of them will have a tough job to squeeze Buendia out of the team.